Colorado vs. Nebraska score prediction by college football computer model

Expert game predictions for Colorado vs. Nebraska in Deion Sanders' home debut with the Buffaloes against the Cornhuskers

One week after Colorado made the statement of the early season, Deion Sanders and his new-look Buffaloes return to Boulder for the home opener of the Prime era, fresh off an epic win over TCU and now set to welcome long-time rival Nebraska in college football's Week 2 action on Saturday.

What a debut it was out in Fort Worth for the Buffs, who rode a historic effort from Shedeur Sanders and his Colorado all-time record day, hitting over 500 yards passing while freshman back Dylan Edwards scored four times in a 45-42 victory over the national title runner-up team on the road as three-TD underdogs.

Nebraska is entering a new era itself after bringing on head coach Matt Rhule, and hoping his reputation as a turnaround artist at the college level, where he helped rebuild Temple and then Baylor, will do likewise for the Cornhuskers. It went well early on in Week 1 before Nebraska lost another close lead late against Minnesota to start 0-1.

Not many analysts had Nebraska starting 0-2 or Colorado starting 2-0 this year, but that's exactly what could happen if the oddsmakers are right.

What can we expect when things kick off? Let's check in on how the SP+ prediction model devised by ESPN analyst Bill Connelly projects the matchup, along with the latest betting information for the Week 2 game.

Colorado vs. Nebraska predictions

What to expect as Colorado and Nebraska square off / USA Today Images

Colorado vs. Nebraska score prediction: The SP+ model departs from most of the bookmakers this week, projecting that Nebraska will defeat Colorado by an estimated score of 30 to 22, with the Cornhuskers enjoying a win probability of 68 percent, and expected to win by a margin of 8.2 points.

Point spread: The books disagree, naming Colorado as the close 2.5 point favorites against Nebraska, according to the lines at SI Sportsbook. Track it live

FPI prediction: Nebraska is projected to win the game with 58.6 percent likelihood, compared to Colorado at 41.4 percent, according to the College Football Power Index computer model that picks winners by simulating games 20,000 times.

More: Buffs vs. Huskers picks, predictions, Week 2 college football odds, lines

What we're betting: After watching Colorado's skill threats get in space so easily against TCU's coverage, we should see a repeat of the same against Nebraska, against whom the Buffs appear to have the clear athletic advantage. And if Prime's run-stop can play as well as it did against the Frogs, it can force the Huskers into a throwing match. If that happens, then it's advantage Buffaloes. College Football HQ pick: Colorado -2.5

Related: Colorado vs. Nebraska picks, odds, best bets

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Colorado vs. Nebraska schedule

When: Sat., Sept. 9
Time: 11 a.m. CT, 10 a.m. MT
TV: Fox network
Stream: fuboTV (Try for free)

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